Hunting in Illinois: 3 Animals to Hunt Year-Round

Hunting in Illinois offers a diverse range of landscapes and species for hunters, from bow hunting to muzzleloaders and dove to deer. Hunters can track fowl along the Mississippi River or turkey in the forest. However, if they were born during or after 1980, they’re required to take a hunter safety course before they load their weapon and head into the woods.

Hunters must also obtain a hunting license and species-specific permit no matter the season or whether or not they are a resident of Illinois. Hunting seasons for different species are specified by date, but there are a few animals that are always in season for hunting in Illinois.

These are the three animals to hunt year-round (or nearly year-round).
1. Coyote
Open to hunt all year long in Illinois, coyote can be hunted on public or private lands. According to Prairie State Outdoors, between November 10 and March 15 they can be hunted 24 hours a day, the rest of the year hunting time is restricted to 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Of course, a hunting license and species permit are still required and hunting is closed during the weekends of firearm deer season except for those with unfilled firearm permits. Nearly any weapon including bows, rifles, shotguns, and even handguns can be used depending on whether the hunter is on public or private property and dogs can be used on private property. There’s no limit to the number of coyotes a hunter can bag.

2. Striped Skunk
Like Coyote, the smelly, sneaky, nocturnal striped skunk is open season year round with or without the use of dogs. However, if dogs are to be used, they may not go onto private property without the property owner’s permission. Trapping is permitted during parts of November through January, too, but residents simply looking to get rid of pests must obtain the proper permits.

Striped skunk may be hunted 24 hours a day between November 10 and March 15 and between a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset the rest of the year, even with handguns. There is no limit to the number of skunks a hunter can claim each year.

3. Woodchuck
Also known as groundhog, these animals aren’t available to hunt for the entire year, but certainly for most of it. From the beginning of June to the end of March hunters can seek out woodchuck, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Firearm deer hunting weekends are closed for woodchuck, but there is no limit to the number of the animal hunters can kill. Hunting is permitted from sunrise to sunset and trapping is allowed 24 hours a day during trapping season, which runs from June to September.This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

Hunting in Illinois offers a diverse range of landscapes and species for hunters, from bow hunting to muzzleloaders and dove to deer. Hunters can track fowl along the Mississippi River or turkey in the forest.

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